Parker knew deep down, he didn't have that spark for Endora. Over the past three years, it had been more about a sense of duty than love. He felt he owed her for a favor from one drunken night, nothing more.
When Endora didn't see the warm welcome in his eyes she had hoped for, but instead got pushed away because of the little munchkin in his arms, her heart sank. Trying to mask her hurt with a forced smile, she said, "Oops, sorry kiddo, this is my fiancé. But who might you be?"
Tiana watched her cousin's act with a cold eye.
If it weren't for Endora, would Barclay have found out about Cherry so quickly and come after them?
The gears in Endora's head were transparent to Tiana.
Now that Endora had shown up, flaunting her title as Parker's fiancée, Tiana was jolted back to reality. Her own feelings for him, whether he was responsible or not, seemed trivial.
She didn't want to wedge herself into their relationship.
Awake from her dream, she faced the harsh reality.
With a self-deprecating smile, she stepped forward, coolly taking the child from Parker, "Cherry, Mr. Doonan is busy. Let's go."
"What's the rush?" Parker's gaze fixed on Tiana, mysterious and unreadable.
Cherry immediately glared at Endora, full of hostility, "Daddy Parker, who is this woman exactly?"
Endora was startled to hear the child call him daddy!
Could it be that Parker had found out… the child was his?
Nervous, she glanced at Tiana, fearing her secret of substitution would be uncovered. She tentatively smiled, "Tiana, is this your daughter? Why does she call my fiancé daddy?
Though you're my cousin, I must remind you, it's not proper.
And, now I remember, isn’t your daughter Barclay’s…"
"Endora." Parker cut her off with a hint of displeasure, explaining, "The child started calling me that on her own. I felt bad for her, so I let it be."
At this, Endora was fuming. Not only had he returned from the dead, but he also hadn't contacted his fiancée?
Instead, he was hiding out with Tiana, this homewrecker, acting like a happy family shopping around!
Endora had always been wary of Tiana, sensing something special in the way Parker looked at her.
Her jealousy was like a fire burning in hell, as she tearfully clung to Parker's sleeve, "Parker, waiting for you was agony. Why didn't you tell me the moment you came back?
I've been a mess since you disappeared, unable to eat or sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see your face.
I've been sick with worry…
But here you are… with my cousin. How should I feel when you promised you’d only ever marry me?"
Seeing Endora's tear-streaked face, Parker felt a headache coming on.
Had she not bumped into him today, he'd have forgotten he had a fiancée.
Narrowing his eyes, he coldly pulled away, "Endora, Tiana mentioned you had already returned to Banyan City.
Plus, I'm not ready to go public. Once I sort everything out, I’ll meet with you."
Endora sneakily glared at Tiana, suspecting she had whispered poison about her to Parker.
She wanted to tear Tiana apart, immediately changing her tone, "Cousin said she went back to Banyan City?
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love Beyond the Mask